Title of Abstract
Two Drug Epidemics in a Racist World: Comparing the Crack Crisis with the Opioid Epidemic
Poster Number
058
Session Title
Gender, Ethnicity, and Bias
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Mass Communication
Abstract
America has faced two nationwide drug addictions: the crack crisis and the opioid epidemic. Despite several similarities in the spread of the addictions, the two garnered vastly different reactions from the media, society, and the government. It has become apparent that the reason for these different reactions is the race of those typically afflicted by each addiction. The crack crisis predominantly affected impoverished communities of color, whereas the opioid epidemic has affected more white Americans. Through journalistic methods including FOIA requests, government documents, interviews, and the gathering of primary and secondary sources, I have examined the way that race plays into how America responds to drug addictions. This project includes multimedia components as well, creating a comprehensive, multimedia, data-driven news package.
Honors Thesis Committee
William Schulte, Ph.D.; Nathaniel Frederick II, Ph.D.; and Aimee Meader, Ph.D
Course Assignment
MCOM 441 – Schulte
Start Date
24-4-2020 12:00 AM
Included in
Two Drug Epidemics in a Racist World: Comparing the Crack Crisis with the Opioid Epidemic
America has faced two nationwide drug addictions: the crack crisis and the opioid epidemic. Despite several similarities in the spread of the addictions, the two garnered vastly different reactions from the media, society, and the government. It has become apparent that the reason for these different reactions is the race of those typically afflicted by each addiction. The crack crisis predominantly affected impoverished communities of color, whereas the opioid epidemic has affected more white Americans. Through journalistic methods including FOIA requests, government documents, interviews, and the gathering of primary and secondary sources, I have examined the way that race plays into how America responds to drug addictions. This project includes multimedia components as well, creating a comprehensive, multimedia, data-driven news package.
